It turned the spotlight on how small businesses in Ennis, County Clare have coped with the phased reopening of the economy of Ireland.[6][7]
The presenters also spoke to the Chief Executive of Musgrave about the changes in grocery spending and shopping habits during the COVID-19 crisis.[6][7]
Episode 2
The second episode aired on 26 July 2020.
Its prime focus was on the tourism industry where it lacked visitors to Ireland.[8][9]
They examined the government's guidelines to allow businesses to reopen across the country.[8][9]
They heard from three family-run businesses from West Cork to Louth who are trying to adapt their businesses, after being forced in lockdown to re-examine their business models and revenue streams.[8][9]
Lawyer Cliona Kimber joined the presenters in the studio to discuss all that employers need to know if they have employees working from home.[10]
It looked at supply chains, and the lessons Irish businesses learned about the risks of relying on one international supplier for sourcing raw materials.[10]
The presenters interviewed the CEO of Eir Carolan Lennon to discuss her company's employees working from home and about broadband reach across Ireland.[10]
Episode 4
The fourth episode aired on 11 August 2020.
Its main focus was on events and attractions in Ireland and how these businesses coped with the impact of COVID-19.[11][12]
Founder of Indiependence Music & Arts Festival Shane Dunne joined the presenters in studio to discuss the industry worries.[11][12]
It took a closer look at family-run businesses at the heart of Irish SMEs, who have all felt the impact of COVID-19 and just want to get back to business.[11][12]
The presenters spoke to a bus company in Kilkenny founded by the current owner's grandfather 101 years ago, but is currently only operating 10% of his fleet.[11][12]
The presenters spoke to a Croatian café owner in Finglas, who had fulfilled their dream of running their own business, discusses why they shut their doors for good.[11][12]
The presenters meet Irish print and design company Jill & Gill who are benefitting from a new initiative that sees commercial developers with empty retail units offer a space to small businesses across Ireland.[13][14]
Real Estate Advisor Mark Synnott offered expert advice for employers who struggled to hang on to their business premises.[13][14]
The presenters saw how health and safety measures are being implemented at some of Ireland's biggest construction sites.[13][14]
The President of Chambers Ireland Siobhan Kinsella discussed what happened with office and retail spaces across the country.[13][14]
The sixth and final episode of series 1 aired on 25 August 2020.
It looked at how the childcare sector in Ireland is facing as they try to adapt to COVID-19 measures while still opening their doors to as many children as possible.[15][16]
It looked at new business hopefuls as the presenters meets with people that embody the Irish entrepreneurial spirit that keeps small businesses up and down the country going. Businesses include a bike shop in Wexford, set up by a 22-year-old cycling enthusiast, a new barber shop on Dublin's northside, and a brother and sister who have opened a new grocery store in Sandymount.[15][16]
It heard from a range of businesses from the County Mayo college boys setting up a sustainable clothing company, a new beauty spa in Dublin, to the pastry chef from Galway now making artisan chocolates.[15][16]
Jenny Melia, Divisional Manager of High Potential Start-ups with Enterprise Ireland, talked about the range of grants and supports available for start-ups and other businesses trying to navigate COVID-19 and Brexit, as well as where SMEs can go for further advice.[15][16]
Series 2
Episode 1
The first episode of series 2 aired on 29 April 2021.
It focused on COVID-19 vaccines and explored what it took to mass produce such a vital drug.[17][18]
It highlighted the Irish manufacturers playing their part in the fight against COVID-19.[17][18]
Colm O'Callaghan of PwC Ireland and discussed government supports and schemes, what's in place, what's needed, and what might disappear.[17][18]
Episode 2
The second episode of series 2 aired on 6 May 2021.
It looked at how sports clubs generate income during the pandemic and asked the question when could everyone start thinking about travel again.[19]
The presenters spoke to and interviewed:
Nóirín Hegarty, Chair of the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, to discuss how the tourism industry in Ireland was handling the recovery.[19]
John Mullins, who worked in advertising and sports sponsorship and was who a board member of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, about the sports sector and how it would open up again to the public.[19]
A family who hope their new reusables business, Ecoset, could help eliminate the use of single use plastic and protect our beaches from litter.[19]
Episode 3
The third episode of series 2 aired on 13 May 2021.
It looked at the charity sector with charities across the country forced to come up with new ways to raise money.[20]
It featured Huku Balance, a County Donegal business giving surfers some balance on land.[20]
The presenters spoke to and interviewed:
Denise Charlton, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland, which had given over €75 million in grants to 5,000 organisations over the past 21 years.[20]
Sinead McSweeney VP, Public Policy at Twitter EMEA and MD of Twitter Dublin, about the future of the workspace.[20]
Episode 4
The fourth episode of series 2 aired on 20 May 2021.
It looked at how extra paperwork was lucrative for one custom agent, yet a nightmare for truck drivers on a strict deadline.[21]
With Ireland's nightlife effectively closed since March 2020, the presenters met the DJs fighting to save Ireland's night clubs; drag queens hosting Zoom dating shows; and the comedians learning how to go viral.[21]
The presenters heard from OceanR, a Cork company taking plastics that pollute our oceans and turning them into sustainable clothing that is sold all over the world.[21]
The presenters spoke to and interviewed Kim O'Callaghan of the events and entertainment working group, EPIC to discuss the status of nightlife in Ireland.[21]
Episode 5
The fifth episode of series 2 aired on 27 May 2021.
The presenters examined rural relocation during and following the pandemic.[22]
The presenters interviewed and spoke to:
Martina Hennessy, Managing Director at online mortgage platform, Doddl to discuss the practicalities of making the move from cities to rural areas.[22]
An architect Róisín Murphy about the future of cities and transport in a world changed by the pandemic.[22]
Episode 6
The sixth and final episode of series 2 aired on 3 June 2021.
The presenters visited restaurants and cafés to see what and how they were planning for a summer outdoors.[23]
The presenters turned their attention to the retail sector.[23]
The presenters interviewed and spoke to:
Duncan Graham, Managing Director at Retail Excellence Ireland, to explore how retail had been faring since its reopening.[23]
Hospitality Consultant Paul O'Connor, to discuss the ins and outs of the restaurant reopenings.[23]
